By drwilliam73004952, Feb 21 2017 08:39PM

Teach your children to say “no” to tobacco:

• Set a good example! Don’t smoke or quit smoking. This benefits the entire family.

• Explain to your children how smoking damages the mouth, throat, and lungs. It contributes to high blood pressure, causes bad breath, stains the teeth and destroys gum tissue. Smoking is a factor in periodontal disease.

Instill in your children the importance of regular dental exams:

• Dr. Bohrod will instruct your children on proper dental care.

• Regular hygiene visits lead to prevention which cuts all dental costs. It also leads to early detection of improper alignment of teeth and decay and is an opportunity to reinforce good eating habits.

By drwilliam73004952, Feb 13 2017 10:58PM

6. Dental Sealants: According to the American Dental Association, "Sealants have been shown to reduce risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars." In a report from the Center

for Disease Control, "school age children without sealants have almost three (3) times more cavities than children with sealants."

• They keep food out and stop bacteria and acid on teeth

• The earlier you get them the better, but adults can get them too

• They last several years before needing reapplication

7. Choosing the right mouth protector for active children and adolescents: It is very important to have mouth guards properly fitted to your children teeth when they are active in sports. They help, according to the ADA, "cushion the blow to the face, minimize risk of broken teeth or injuries to lips, tongue, face or jaw." If you or your child engages in any type of athletics, you should have a mouth guard custom fitted by your dentist. It is especially needed if your child wears braces or you have fixed bridge work.

By drwilliam73004952, Feb 6 2017 06:30PM

3. “When should we expect changes from primary to permanent teeth?” Changes from Primary to Secondary (Succedaneous) teeth begin between ages 6-7 and continue through age 13 to14 and sometimes into the age of 15.

4. “What is the proper technique to brush and floss teeth?” For infants, use a dampened washcloth or gauze and rub gums gently. This helps the child get used to something in his/her mouth. No toothpaste is necessary. Baby bottle caries are a major problem with small children. Please do not put the baby to bed with a bottle of juice or milk. The sugary liquid pools in the mouth while the baby is sleeping and causes decay to spread like wild fire. Children between the ages of 1 and 3 (when they don’t chew on the toothbrush) should brush whatever tooth is visible with a Fluoride toothpaste but make sure to limit it to the size of a pea. Fluoride vitamin supplements are also a way to provide protection for your children’s teeth but should only be taken about 3 times a week. With Fluoride in most water systems and other sources of Fluoride available, it not necessary to take every day. Bring your child with you when you come to visit us. This develops a comfort level with the dentist. We can help instruct proper brushing technique while creating a positive first experience.

5. “What should we do about thumb sucking?” Thumb sucking can lead to orthodontic and orthopedic problems in the Secondary Dentition and bones of the face and jaw. We can provide help in preventing thumb sucking, and avoiding tooth positioning problems, with either a mouth guard, or an appliance that will minimize the damage associated with thumb sucking.

By drwilliam73004952, Feb 1 2017 02:13PM

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Each week in February, we will be posting information for those with a baby, toddler or adolescent child, hopefully answering any questions you might have regarding their dental care.

Children’s teeth are meant to last for their entire life, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self- esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.

The American Dental Association is focusing on the message “I love tap water”, which imparts the message that water is a better choice of beverage rather than sugar sweetened drinks. If the tap water in your community is fluoridated, then your child has the “added benefit of drinking water that helps prevent tooth decay”.

Patients with young children often ask:

1. “When should my child have his/her first dental visit?” Parents should schedule an appointment to bring their child into my office as soon as the child can observe and learn. Each child is different, but this is usually after the first tooth. Young children can learn by observing parents, or older siblings. We work hard to make that first visit and subsequent visits stress free, fun, informative and caring. The child is encouraged to sit in the dental chair with the parent, where we can examine your child’s mouth, teach how to clean the teeth and talk about thumb sucking.

2. “What are the ways to prevent early childhood caries (cavities)?” Good diet, proper habits and oral care are ways to prevent childhood caries. Try to limit your child’s consumption of soda, candy, cookies, pastries, sweet fruit drinks and junk food. These types of foods lead to tooth decay. Good dental health starts with plenty of water, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low fat and fat free dairy foods while limiting in-between meal snacks. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss and visit my office at least twice a year for hygiene. For new born babies, wipe the gums with a clean gauze pad or washcloth.

Good habits need to be started early. As a team, we can teach your child the benefits of good dental health.